In a tragic incident that unfolded in Fremont last July, Horizon Biofuels, a wood refining facility, became the center of attention following a catastrophic explosion that claimed three lives, including two young sisters. Now, the company is facing legal challenges as the mothers of the deceased children pursue lawsuits against the plant.
This month, Brittney Short, the mother of 8-year-old Fayeh Danielson, initiated a negligence lawsuit against Horizon Biofuels. Her legal action comes on the heels of a similar lawsuit filed by Lauren Baker, the mother of Fayeh’s 12-year-old half-sister, Hayven Danielson, approximately two months earlier. More details about Baker’s lawsuit can be found in the original report.
According to the lawsuits, both girls were present in the plant’s break room when the explosion occurred while their father, Dylan Danielson, worked as a day-shift operator. Dylan also tragically lost his life in the explosion.
Horizon Biofuels, initially established to produce biodiesel, shifted its operations around 2009 to manufacture animal bedding and wood pellets. This process involved grinding scrap wood into mulch and further into a finer wood meal, utilizing dust collection systems to manage the significant wood dust generated.
The lawsuit filed by Short argues that the facility’s negligence in controlling dust accumulation led to the explosion. Allegations include improper machinery maintenance, insufficient staff training on dust hazard identification and mitigation, and the company’s inadequate response to prior complaints and “known issues related to wood dust emissions.”
Both mothers also contend in their lawsuits that the facility should not have permitted the children to be on the premises. Horizon Biofuels has yet to respond to Baker’s lawsuit, which was lodged in late February. Typically, a response is due within 30 days of a complaint’s filing.
Several federal agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), continue to probe the explosion. In February, OSHA announced a fine exceeding $147,000 after determining the facility had multiple serious violations related to combustible dust prevention standards.
Horizon Biofuels has contested the cited violations, and the appeal process is still underway according to OSHA.
Additionally, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the incident. In a statement issued in September, the agency emphasized that combustible dust hazards are “completely avoidable” and well-documented.
